Accessibility links

Navigation

German A Level at Sir William Borlase's Grammar School

Course description

In our A-level German studies, we take the knowledge of the language and the culture way beyond GCSE. The work is challenging, but rewarding, and students engage with written and audio material, which Germans themselves read and listen to. German is the medium for discussing a wide range of moral, social and political issues. The emphasis is on students forming, sharing and defending their opinions. There is weekly conversation practice with the German assistant.

The AS topic areas are: youth culture, lifestyle, the world around us (travel, tourism, the environment) and education and employment. The additional A2 topics are: customs/ traditions/beliefs/religions, national and international events and literature and the arts. With regard to the research-based essay, students must focus on one of four areas: the geography, the history, the society or the literature/arts of a German- speaking country.

In the spring term of Year 12, there is a well-established, voluntary two-week work-experience exchange. Places where students have previously worked include kindergartens, primary schools, a tourist information office, a dental surgery and a doctors’ practice. In Year 13, there is sometimes a study visit to Berlin in the October half-term.

German can be read at university as the main subject and it can be studied in association with a large number of other subjects – law, economics, commerce, music, international relations, engineering, physics, European studies, drama, as well as with English and other foreign languages, to mention but some of the possibilities. Students applying to read German at Oxbridge attend a series of after-school sessions in order to prepare for the admissions test and interviews.

Germany is at the heart of an expanded Europe and people with a very good command of German are highly sought after. Students with a qualification in German will definitely enhance their career prospects.

Entry requirements

Grade A* or A in German at GCSE.

How to apply

If you want to apply for this course, you will need to contact Sir William Borlase's Grammar School directly.